TLDR Women treated with X-ray for scalp fungus as children had a higher chance of hair loss, especially with higher radiation doses and severe fungus infections.
In a retrospective study involving 670 women treated with X-ray epilation for tinea capitis as children from 1950 to 1963, researchers found a 6.7% prevalence of alopecia. The study identified that women with a diagnosis of tinea favosa had a significantly higher risk of alopecia, with a relative risk of 9.49, and those who received an irradiation dose of 630 R or more had a relative risk of 5.50 for developing alopecia. Age at irradiation was initially associated with a higher risk of alopecia, but this was not significant after adjusting for tinea diagnosis and irradiation dose. The findings highlight the increased risk of alopecia with higher irradiation doses and the diagnosis of tinea favosa, underscoring the need for early treatment to prevent alopecia.
21 citations
,
February 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Some cases of tinea capitis, a fungal scalp infection, can look like scarring hair loss due to the body's immune response and the fungus itself.
66 citations
,
February 2009 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Chinese men have lower AGA rates than Caucasians, with type III vertex most common; family history is important.
11 citations
,
October 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Alopecia in Burkina Faso mostly affects young people, often students, with common causes being tinea and alopecia areata.
120 citations
,
October 2004 in “International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics” Higher doses of cranial irradiation are linked to permanent hair loss.
1 citations
,
January 2021 in “Our Dermatology Online” A scalp infection can look like alopecia areata and get worse if treated incorrectly.
10 citations
,
January 2016 in “Dermatology online journal” Adults with persistent scalp issues unresponsive to typical treatments should be tested for the fungal infection tinea capitis to start the right antifungal medication.
196 citations
,
November 2014 in “PubMed” Tinea infections need proper diagnosis and treatment with topical or oral antifungals based on severity and location.
65 citations
,
January 2005 in “American journal of clinical dermatology” Children with scalp fungal infections need proper diagnosis and treatment, usually with antifungal medications, and newer drugs may offer quicker recovery.
